Name: _____________________
Date: ___________
Period: _________
Revolutionary War Project
Essential Question: Did the colonies have the right to break off from England?
Think about:




significant “Road to Independence” events (Acts of Parliament) that caused friction between the
colonists and England
ideas (Enlightenment) of key people that contributed to the conflicts
the reasoning of the English and of the colonists
which side/who you agree with and why
Decision:


how you can most effectively explain your ideas to the other side
choice of at least three “Road to Independence” events or ideas that you should refer to when trying to
explain the point of view of your chosen person or group
Create:

at least three (3) different visual aides that represent at least three (3) controversial “Road to
Independence” events, ideas, or both. This means that you will create a total of three different pieces
that represent three key events and/or ideas.
Examples: journal entry of Thomas Jefferson’s reaction to reading John Locke, poem about the
Quartering Act, picture of the Boston Tea Party painted by a member of the Sons of Liberty, model of
the Declaratory Act, fake newspaper article of the Stamp Act written by a Loyalist, any other ideas you
might have

While your facts about the war and your person must be accurate, you have creative freedom to infer
(invent) what the person might have said (like historical fiction).

At least (2) articles of clothing/jewelry/hat/scarf/etc. that you wear to represent your character.
Present:




a speech through a first-person perspective of an 18th century person involved in the events
leading up to, during, or after the Revolutionary War (see the list on the next page for ideas).
From listening to your speech, the other students should learn who you are, your role in the
Revolutionary war, what side you’re on and why you are on that side.
Explain your ideas about the Revolutionary War. You should refer to your three visual aides during
your speech, using them to help you fully expound upon your point of view.
You should also give credence to the opposing point of view, letting your audience know that you
understand there is another side. State that point of view in your speech and then explain why your
view is more justified.
Choices of 18th Century People:
King George III
George Washington
Martha Washington
John Locke
Ben Franklin
Thomas Jefferson
Member of the Daughters of Liberty
Abigail Adams
William Denny (view on quartering solders)
Molly Pitcher
Benedict Arnold
Mercy Otis Warren
Susanna Bucklin
Phillis Wheatley
Patience Wright
Captain Alexander McDonald
Frederick North, Lord
Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette
Paul Revere
General William Howe
General Lord Cornwallis
Thomas Paine
Francois Joseph
Paul de Grasse
Alexander Hamilton
Betsy Ross
Patrick Henry
A Quaker from the time
Samuel Adams
John Witherspoon
Crispus Attucks
Thomas Hutchinson
Mary Draper
List the key events that pushed the colonists to breaking off from England below:
Next to each event, write what unique product you will create to represent the event and an explanation that
describes how the event led to breaking away from England.
Significant
Event
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Possible
Symbolic Product
Who was right?
Why?
How did it push
the colonists to break
off from England?
Date Project Assigned: DECEMBER 2, 2014
Project Completion/Due Date: JANUARY 12, 2015
Computer Lab at School: DECEMBER 17-19, 2014
Speech Date: __________________________________
RUBRIC - Road to Independence Oral Presentation
1.) Social Studies – Knows and Understands
Understands historical events related to the colonial Road to Independence
Advanced
Proficient
Basic – Below Basic
Demonstrates historically Understands general
Understands two or
accurate internalization
concept of three Road to fewer Road to
of three Road to
Independence events
Independence events
Independence events,
and/or lacks details
ideas, people
2.) Social Studies – Thinking Critically/Application
Critically evaluates appropriateness of the Revolutionary War
Advanced
Proficient
Basic – Below Basic
Effectively evaluates Road Generally evaluates
Merely attempts to
to Ind. events to support
events and Patriot or
evaluate events and/or
Patriot/Loyalist position,
Loyalist position,
fails to connect Road to
focusing on “rights” &
referring to “rights” and Independence events to
the Revolutionary War
Democratic Ideals
Democratic Ideals
3.) Language Arts – Organization
Advanced
Proficient
 Engaging introduction
 Introduction presents
captures audience
purpose and roadmap
attention, clearly reveals
of the speech
thesis statement, and
 Often uses transitions
presents roadmap of the
between logically
speech
organized groups of
information
 Transitions consistently
link logically organized
 Conclusion wraps up
groups of information
main points
 Conclusion effectively
uses one of the 3 C’s
4.) Language Arts – Style
Advanced
 Uses dramatic, figurative,
and passionate language
to convince audience
with conviction through
1st person perspective
 Speaker smoothly blends
discussion of visual aides
into speech, commenting
on the point of each
visual aid
Proficient
 1st person
perspective reveals
that the speaker
supports one side
 Speaker
appropriately refers
to visual aides
during discussion of
the events they
represent
Basic –
Below Basic
 Audience must guess
the purpose and/or
roadmap of speech
 Inconsistent use of
transitions or lacks
transitions and/or
lacks organization
pattern
 Conclusion merely
restates points or
lacks a conclusion
Basic –
Below Basic
 Speaker merely
attempts to share
feelings about the
topic or lacks
conviction
 Discussion of visual
aides interrupt flow of
speech and/or groups
all of the visual aide
discussion together
5. Visual Communication
Uses visual aides to enhance speech
Advanced
Proficient
Basic
- Below Basic
Three Visual Aides. show Visual Aids show quality Three or fewer Visual
creativity, attention to
and represents event
Aids lack quality or
detail and clearly represent
does not represent
events
events well
6. Oral Communication (First Person Perspective)
Uses Audience-engaging oral communication skills
Advanced
Maintains eye contact and
gives audience a feel of
having a conversation
Voice fluctuates with
passion when necessary, is
changes speed for effect,
and projects beyond the
back of the room
Posture is persuasive
Speaker turns now and
then to face specific parts
of the room
Speaker appears organized
and confident
Proficient
Maintains eye contact
frequently
Voice fluctuates when
necessary,
Is not too fast or slow,
And projects to the back
of the room
Posture is formal and
relaxed
Speaker faces the
audience
Speaker appears
organized
Basic – Below Basic
Stares at notes, visual
aid, shoes, walls, or
ceiling often
Monotone voice
Too fast or too slow
Can not be heard by
some people
Posture is informal or
sloppy
Speaker closes off part
of audience
Speaker is unorganized
or shows too many
signs of not being
confident
Grading:
 Summative Assignment (Project) - 50 points
 Oral Presentation (including 3 visuals &clothing ):
30 points
 Final Draft of Speech/Cornell Notes/Bibliography:
20 points